Rebuilding Destroyed Gaza Homes 16 Years, UN Reports

The United Nations (UN) has assessed that rebuilding the homes in Gaza, which were destroyed during the Israel-Hamas war, will be an extensive and time-consuming process. Let’s delve into the details:

1. Timeline for Reconstruction:

   • The UN predicts that it will take until 2040 and probably longer to restore the housing units destroyed in Gaza.
   • This estimation is based on data from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics and considers the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
   • Even under optimistic scenarios, the scale of destruction in Gaza is unprecedented, making the reconstruction process challenging.

2. Scope of Destruction:

   • The destruction in Gaza encompasses not only homes but also infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and livelihoods.
   • Rebuilding and repairing this extensive damage will take decades.
   • The Al-Masry Tower in Rafah is one of the many residential buildings that have been destroyed.

3. Socio-Economic Impact:

   • The conflict has severe implications for the Human Development Index (HDI) estimates for Palestine.
   • After nine months of conflict, reduced levels of health, education, and wealth correspond to a loss of over 20 years of development in Palestine.
   • For Gaza alone, this loss increases to 44 years of development wiped out.

4. Dependency on External Assistance:

   • Gaza is projected to become fully dependent on external aid, as it will lack a functional economy, means of production, employment, or capacity for trade.
   • The situation is unprecedented since 1948.

5. Financial Assessment:

   • By the end of January 2024, damages to the built environment in Gaza amounted to around $18.5 billion.
   • Damage to the housing sector constituted 72% of this cost.

Conclusion

The rebuilding process in Gaza is a monumental task that requires international support and sustained efforts. As architects and builders, we must remain aware of the challenges faced by communities affected by such conflicts and contribute to their recovery.

References:

1. UN: Reconstructing Gaza could cost $50 billion

2. UN says rebuilding in Gaza post-war at scale unseen since WWII

For more Architecture Updates Visit: ARCHIVERSE27

Â